Tag Archives: meditation

This week, use your camera to discover the endless variety that one thing can contain. It can be a single photo featuring some visual play on repetition and variation — ducks in a pond, each swimming in a slightly different angle, or a wall of stained glass in a church, each panel echoing the other. You could also opt for a series of shots showing the same place, person, or object in slightly different light (literally or figuratively, as the case may be). If you’re not sure how to approach this topic, just let your daily life guide you: every day, you probably repeat several actions, movements, and rituals without even noticing. Choose one and show how even within this repetition, there’s a wide diversity of experience.

“I want to live and feel all the shades, tones, and variations of mental and physical experience possible in my life. And I am horribly limited.” ~ Sylvia Plath ~

I love visiting the same areas at different times of the day and year. It is a gift of nature that those living with the changing seasons experience. The sky is ever-changing shades, tones and variations which bringing a new perspective to those paying attention. We witness the vibrant greens of summer become blanketed in orange/red/green/brown leaves of fall as the grass becomes brownish orange. Then as winter sets in if we are lucky we witness a blanket of white covering the trees and ground which then becomes spotted with brown and then green once again. It is amazing to witness. The sky also dazzles the senses as it varies in color throughout the day and year. Vibrant blue, grey, pinks, oranges, varying shades of red become blackened as the night sky brings sleep and rest. We leave knowing that tomorrow we will experience everything anew.

Peaceful in winter

Saratoga National Historical Park is one of those locations which fill my heart with many emotions. It is a place which I return for peace, comfort and rest. This is a location shared over the years with family times – first as a child with my own parents and then with my children, nieces, nephew and friends. It is this location where I prepared myself for BASIC, where my children and I hiked, learned to cross-country ski, and a refuge when I passed through challenging times in my life. It is a place as Sylvia Plath shared where I “live and feel all the shades, tones, and variations of mental and physical experience possible in my life.” Wherever I have traveled, this location remained in my heart and upon returning to ‘home’ it is where I visit to renew myself.

Do you have a location that means ‘home’ to you outside of the place where you grew up? A place that lives within you even if you can’t return.

While away from my home and children during BASIC training with the Army National Guard I first experienced the ability to meditate – more of a visualization. When sitting in the hot Missouri sun between class or exercises I would close my eyes and return home to the hiking paths with my children and nieces/nephews. We would be exploring and laughing. The younger female soldiers would ask where I had gone because they noticed I wasn’t responding to them. I shared that I went home in my mind. These young women noticed that I remained calm and peaceful after my little visualizations and wanted me to teach them. Some were able to learn and carry this with them to their next station or when they returned home to class. Eventually I could visualize and ‘visit’ with my eyes open. The only way they knew was if I didn’t respond when they spoke to me. This became very helpful when we were we living on four hours of sleep.

For anyone who lives with tinnitus, learning these methods may bring peace to your life. It may not stop the noise in your head but it will definitely help you learn to live with this constant noise. This I know first hand, as meditation and visualization have helped me live a productive life in spite of the constant bells ringing in my head.

Have you ever experienced visualization to bring peace into your life? Or, have you been in a stressful situation where meditation brought a sense of peace and calm to help you through?

If you are interested in learning more about visualization, meditation or living mindfully please complete the form below or email me at spiritofdraginflies@gmail.com. Let’s discuss next steps to help you bring some peace, tranquility, calm and mindfulness into your daily life.

Love and Light!

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Creating a space in your home to meditate is the first step in shifting the atmosphere. When people come to your home to visit they will feel the peace in your home as they walk in the door, even if you peaceful space is hidden in your bedroom.

It can be a shared space with others in your home or they can have their own space. It doesn’t need to be a large space, just a small space in a bedroom or shared space in a living area. As long as it is easily accessible. Having this space readily available allows everyone to release and slow down on hectic days, allowing them to shift their energy. Teaching our children how to meditate early in life can transform their future. It will affect the way they interact with others, being able to focus on their studies, open up their creativity, and succeed in school and life. This is a wonderful gift they will carry with them into their adulthood.

I love this quote:

“Please be aware of the energy you bring into this space.” ~ Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor ~

If you are aware of the energy you bring into the room, you have a better chance of maintaining a peaceful environment wherever you go. We would share this quote with participants in our trainings because someone walking in with negative energy affects the entire room and learning environment. Have you ever walked into a room where the atmosphere felt heavy? Maybe you knew someone had just been quarreling yet no one would share what happened. Sometimes parents don’t realize their children know the relationship is tenuous because they don’t argue in front of them. From my experience working with children in Child Welfare, they know – at all ages. They may be in their bedroom sleeping while you argue however they can feel the tension in the air.

If you make meditation a habit you will have the ability to transform that energy with a calming presence. Maintaining a daily meditation practice will help you learn to communicate in a more peaceful manner. This is so because you will be more aware of what feels good and you will want to maintain that feeling. Anger and stress will no longer have a place in your life. When you begin to feel anger or stress, you will immediately know that it is time to remove yourself and take a breather. This is not only beneficial for relationships, it is beneficial for health.

Last weekend on our travel to the Catskills we sat by the waterfalls to enjoy the scenery and capture a few photos. It was a perfect spot to meditate and enjoy the peace of nature. No cars, motorcycles, or planes flying overhead. It was wonderful!

It always amazes me when traveling, or even close to home, that there is beauty all around us and some never take the time to discover what they are blessed with. Our minds race throughout the day. Many of our thoughts we would never share with others. Can you imagine what they would think if you shared every passing thought?

Many times visitors to a location will ask a local if they enjoy visiting the ocean, park, nature preserve that is within a short distance of their location and the local will share that they have never visited. Even though they have lived in the same location their entire life. In my hometown of Stillwater we are within a ten minute ride – longer if you ride a bike or walk but doable – of the Saratoga National Historical Park. There are roads which bring you to the post markers or trails that lead through the wooded areas. Many of the local people in surrounding areas have not spent any time exploring this historic site. This is a quick visit for those living in Schuylerville, Saratoga, Greenwich, Stillwater, Mechanicville and other localities. I am always surprised to speak with others at meetings or trainings who have never heard of this location or have heard but haven’t stopped to visit. While living in Long Beach, CA I had the privilege of living across the street from the Pacific Ocean. Every morning I woke to the view of the beach and would roll out of bed, throw on my sneakers and head over before work. You would think the beach would have runners, walkers and beach lovers every day – it didn’t. Some mornings I would pass one or two people, mainly dog walkers. In the evening I would be back for another walk and the same thing. On weekends, during the middle of the day the beach had many visitors in the summer months but I was surprised that those living within a very short walk didn’t enjoy the experience. This truly surprised me.

In my own backyard I am fortunate to walk into the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. There are trails throughout the area that can be reached on many roads throughout the area. On any given day, three or four cars will be parked along the road with people taking advantage while minutes away parking lots of the two large malls are packed, even on a nice sunny day such as today. Music blaring, signs throughout the mall, fast food, overpriced items all to entertain and keep the mind filled with chatter. Where do you spend your time? Does it bring long-term peace and happiness? Are there local areas to visit in your community that visitors are attracted to but you have not visited? Maybe today is the day to get out in nature and explore your community. Many of these natural areas are free to visit. How can you release your anxiety, stress, worry, and fear today? Get outside and listen to the birds singing, the frogs croaking, the trees rustling in the breeze. As I sit and type this post on my porch I hear several birds in the tree nearby singing love songs.

Our minds are like a snow globe – once shaken they can only calm if left to rest. Or, like water in a pond stirred from a turtle sliding in from along the edge or a foot entering into the mucky depth disturbing the surface under the water. You can’t see anything until the water is left at peace for a while, then water clears and you can see the bottom once again. Our minds are like this as well. When we are constantly thinking about something that brings worry, fear, or anxiety our thoughts become cluttered. It is through the practice of meditation and mindfulness that we allow our minds to be still and clear. What will arise from the depths of that quietude are creative ideas and direction after the meditation or sometimes while in the meditative states. Yes, these are thoughts as well however they come from a place of loving kindness without worry, fear, anxiety, or guilt. If you have important decisions to make and are deciding from a place of worry, fear or anxiety – STOP. Wait until your mind has time to rest and then make the decision form that place of peace and rest. It will make all the difference. Are you getting ready to send an email to a friend or coworker – STOP. Once again, wait until you are in a place of peace because the tone and result will be totally different.

When you take the time to unplug from the cell phone, radio, computer, television and sit in a state of quiet and peace your entire body is allowed to relax along with your mind. You get out of our own way and open to our inner voice that has been drowned out by all the chatter. When you take the time to enter this state of flow you get in touch with your inner wisdom. Isn’t it time you cherished yourself enough to allow your inner voice to be heard. Who knows what you may hear and how this may change your life in a positive direction.

Let’s start them young. Spend less time in the malls, at regulated sports activities, and magic parks with children and more time teaching them how to listen to their inner wisdom and make their own magic. Let them explore and find their creativity on their own. Teach them to meditate and find that inner peace to carry with them into adulthood. Imagine the lives they will live if you do.

Meditation not Medication

If you are unsure how to meditate and would like some guidance, please send me an email. I provide one free 30 minute session and can share tools to help you start the process. If you are experienced and have witnessed results please share.

Have you ever attended a guided meditation? This is a question that came up today. If you haven’t I’ll explain what happens for you.

Sitting in a chair, on the floor or even lying down – in a group setting or on your own – the guide will bring you into an awareness of your body, generally through a body check. Once you are focused on your body parts and breathing the guide will take you on a journey, preferably with your eyes closed however they could provide a video with photos or a photo collage. Once you leave the space you are sitting, your mind will travel along with the guide into the forest, near a brook, to a large meadow, near a beach at the ocean or wherever they feel you benefit from visiting. Sometimes you might be brought into space, covered in light or having water gentle flow over you.

Roadside Waterfalls

Pacific Coast Highway

Sunset on the Pacific

The beauty of a guided meditation is that the meditator doesn’t have to worry about the thoughts flooding their mind. The guide will share how to release those thoughts and allow them to wait for you until after the meditation. If you want to pick them up again they’ll be ready for you, if they’re no longer needed they will evaporate into thin air. Believe me there are ways the guide can assist you with this skill.

I am preparing a guided meditation to share on this website with you and have been reaching out to find a place to practice my creation. A couple of weeks ago I called to find out why the meditation at work was cancelled. It was one of those days that would have been nice to connect with like-minded people so when I returned to the office I emailed the EEOC personnel. She informed me that the meditation guide was not always available. I volunteered my services and she accepted. We met today for the first time. I will begin to work with another staff member guiding others during their lunch break through a meditation using my new creation.

Last weekend a nice young man at the Apple Store assisted me in combining the sounds of nature with my guided meditation. This weekend I will put the finishing touches on the recording and it is exciting to think that I will be sharing this for the first time next Tuesday. He also informed me that I could use iMovie to include the sounds, meditation and photos. So this coming weekend the same young man will be teaching me how to set up an iMovie meditation. The skies the limit when it comes to what you can achieve with technology but I think through meditation we can truly exceed technology by exploring what we are capable of achieving in our minds. Once we stop the chatter we can truly listen to our inner calling and live a passionate beyond our wildest dreams.

Stay tuned and see what I’ll be sharing with you in the near future. Remember – taking small steps leads to your preferred future.